Venite ad me omnes is a motet written by Felice Anerio (1560-1614), an Italian composer and priest who studied under Giovanni Perluigi da Palestrina. In his article in the November/December 2021 issue of Touchstone, Anthony Esolen explained that this motet is for eight voices in two choirs who respond to each other "as if the choirs were competing with one another in power and feeling and joy." (Perhaps like the crowds of supporters at a basketball game chanting "We've got spirit" at each other?) In particular, note that all eight voices sing "Omnes" together in the first verse (0:17).
According to Esolen, the piece (which is three minutes, fourteen seconds long) includes the following verses:
- Come to me all ye who labor and are heavy burdened, and I will refresh you, says the Lord (Matthew 11:28).
- The bread that I shall give is my flesh, for the life of the world (John 6:51).
- Take and eat, take and eat (Matthew 26:26).
- This is my body, which shall be given up for you; do this, do this, in memory of me (Luke 22:19).
- Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood, abides in me and I in him (John 6:56).
